Adaptation and validation of a Rwanda-focused version of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT)

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) affects an estimated 7% of Rwanda's population.
• A localized screening instrument for AUD in Rwanda was previously unavailable.
• The Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) is a recognized screening tool.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a Rwanda-focused version of the AUDIT.
• To evaluate the psychometric properties of the developed Rwanda-focused AUDIT.

Main Methods:

• The English AUDIT was translated into Kinyarwanda and back-translated by native speakers.
• 614 adult patients were recruited from a tertiary care center in Rwanda using random sampling.
• Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and reliability statistics (Cronbach's alpha, Omega 6) were used to assess internal structure and consistency.

Main Results:

• The Rwanda-focused AUDIT demonstrated high factor loadings (0.62-0.96) in CFA.
• Model fit indices (RMSEA=0.061, TLI=0.994, CFI=0.995) met traditional parameters, indicating excellent internal structure.
• Reliability statistics (Cronbach's alpha=0.91, Omega 6=0.948) showed strong internal consistency.

Conclusions:

• The Rwanda-focused AUDIT is a reliable and psychometrically sound screening instrument for AUD in Rwanda.
• The findings support the use of this adapted AUDIT for identifying AUD in the Rwandan population.
• Further research is recommended for developing brief interventions for individuals screening positive.